XDC Network (XDC) Tokenomics

The XDC token is the native utility token of the XDC Network, an enterprise-grade, EVM-compatible hybrid blockchain that utilizes a delegated Proof-of-Stake (XDPoS) consensus mechanism. The token is essential for network settlement, security, and governance, supporting functionalities like smart contracts, cross-border transactions, and decentralized applications (dApps).

Issuance Mechanism

The XDC Network employs the XinFin Delegated Proof of Stake (XDPoS) consensus mechanism. This mechanism is highly efficient and environmentally conscious, requiring validators to perform a small Proof-of-Work (PoW) when proposing a new block to resist spam attacks, while the core consensus remains Proof-of-Stake.

Key aspects of the issuance and consensus mechanism include:

• Consensus: XDPoS ensures fast processing with a two-second transaction block time and high scalability, capable of handling over 2,000 transactions per second (TPS).
• Security: The network incorporates a forensics-enabled consensus mechanism built upon an advanced Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) protocol. This system includes improved slashing conditions to swiftly detect and penalize malicious behavior, ensuring network stability.
• Transaction Fees: The network features near-zero gas fees, averaging around $0.00001 or less per transaction. These low costs make the network highly economical for users.

Allocation Mechanism

The total supply of XDC tokens was allocated across four primary categories at the launch of the mainnet.

Usage and Incentive Mechanism

The XDC token serves multiple utility functions within the ecosystem, primarily focused on securing the network, facilitating transactions, and enabling governance.

Core Utility and Usage

• Settlement: XDC is the primary utility token used for settlement across decentralized applications (dApps) running on the network.
• Transaction Fees (Gas): XDC is required to pay the network's near-zero gas fees for all transactions.
• Token Standards: The network supports various token standards, including XRC-20 for fungible tokens, XRC-721 for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and XRC-1155 for multi-token/semi-fungible tokens, enabling a wide range of decentralized applications.
• Interoperability: XDC is used as a settlement vehicle within the R3 Corda ecosystem via a unique bridge, allowing value to move freely between the Corda public network and the XDC Network.

Incentives and Staking

• Staking and Security: XDC is used to incentivize validators (masternodes) who secure the network through the XDPoS mechanism. Token holders can stake XDC to support validators and participate in network security.
• Governance: Token holders can actively participate in network governance, contributing to important decisions and protocol upgrades, particularly with the enhanced governance mechanisms introduced in XDC 2.0.
• Ecosystem Incentives: The network actively promotes liquidity and adoption through incentive programs. For example, a recent initiative offered a 7% APY on XDC staking, paid in XDC, with additional rewards available for using staked XDC as collateral in lending platforms built on the network. These programs are designed to rapidly build liquidity and attract early adopters.

Locking Mechanism and Unlocking Time

The XDC Network utilizes staking and locking mechanisms primarily for network security and to align incentives for long-term commitment.

• Staking: The XDPoS mechanism requires staking to secure the network. The XDC token is used as collateral by validators and delegators.
• Slashing: The network implements improved slashing conditions to penalize malicious behavior by validators, which acts as a locking mechanism tied to security and performance.
• Allocation Vesting: While the specific vesting schedules for the Founders/Team and Pre-Placement allocations (totaling 67% of the supply) are not detailed, the allocation structure implies a controlled release over time to prevent market saturation and ensure long-term commitment from core stakeholders and early investors.
• Incentive Program Lockups: Specific ecosystem incentive programs, such as the one launched with PrimeFi, involve staking XDC to mint derivative tokens, which are then used as collateral, effectively locking the underlying XDC to boost Total Value Locked (TVL) and network security.

Detailed, comprehensive token unlock schedules for all initial allocations (Founders/Team, Ecosystem Development, Treasury, and Pre-Placement) were not available.